Moody's Affirms U.S. Triple-A Rating

Outlook Changed to Stable, Putting Top Status Back on Solid Footing

By

Nicole Hong And

John Kell

Updated July 18, 2013 6:40 p.m. ET

Moody's Investors Service raised its outlook on the U.S.'s rating to stable, putting the nation's prized triple-A rating back on solid footing after nearly two years of being under the shadow of the ratings firm's negative view.

Moody's said the improved outlook reflects the U.S. government's debt trajectory, which through 2018 is declining more than Moody's had anticipated when it assigned the negative outlook in August 2011. The...